Strength in What Remains

By Tracy Kidder

In 1994, a young man named Deo, escapes from the genocidal civil war in Burundi to the United States. He has $200, knows no one, and speaks no English. Deo’s harrowing story of survival both in Burundi and New York City makes fascinating reading. His journey back to Burundi to establish a medical clinic was inspiring. I found myself wondering several times how author Tracy Kidder was able to encourage Deo to tell his story.

This book can be checked out at the Newberg Library. www.newberglibrary.org

Review by Jean S.

The Financial Lives of the Poets

By Jess Walter

Matt Prior left his reporting job to start a financial advice poetry website, poetfolio.com. When that doesn't work, he returns to the newspaper only to be laid off as the paper downsizes. When the book begins, Matt's house is a week away from foreclosure and he suspects his wife is having an affair. Additionally, the household includes two young sons and Matt's senile father. Matt needs money and so Matt decides he could make a lot of money by selling pot. What could possible go wrong with this plan? He makes so many bad choices that I found the book kind of stressful, although amusing. My husband kept laughing out loud and didn't find it stressful at all. As a bonus, most of the chapters feature Matt's poetry. Well-written and quirky.

This book can be found at our website: http://www.newberglibrary.org/

This book was reviewed by Jean S.

Honolulu

Alan Brennert has written another wonderful story set in Hawaii. The story takes place in the early 1900s as Koreans and other nationalities immigrate to Hawaii for various reasons. Korea is under attack from the Japanese. Jin and 3 other picture brides from Korea decide to leave and travel to Hawaii, a foreign and tropical land, only to discover their husbands are not what they were led to believe. Spanning four decades, Jin marries, has children, experiences hardships and abuse, joy and love. Additionally Brennert intertwines the history of Hawaii and its governmental struggles throughout the book.

This book is available at the Newberg library (http://www.newberglibrary.org/)

Reviewed by Denise R